Meet The Team

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Aaron Kampman bulked up when he battled offensive tackles during his decade of professional football.

He topped out at about 290 pounds when he played for the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars. But now, as he approaches his second fall without football, Kampman enjoys slimming down and staying away from the intense training regimen that defines the NFL's offseason.

"It's been real nice," Kampman said Saturday at the Legends of Iowa Football Camp. "I don't have to have three protein shakes a day."

Kampman, a former all-Big Ten defensive end with Iowa, played three games with Jacksonville in 2011 before he was released. He enjoyed a 10-year NFL career and twice earned Pro Bowl bids. In 2006, he notched 15.5 sacks and followed with 12 the next season. Both years he was named second-team all-NFL by the Associated Press. He finished with 58 sacks and started 112 games.

Since retiring, Kampman has relocated to the Iowa City-area with his wife and their four children. He's unsure about life's next step, but plans to coach football at Solon this fall.

"I've been invited to do that again this fall, so I'm going to pursue that," Kampman said. "They've been gracious to have me on their staff.

"As far as anything full-time, this and that, I haven't made those decisions yet."

Kampman now has the time in the offseason to assist with local football camps, like the one at Brady Street Stadium on Saturday. Kampman worked with defensive linemen in grades four through 10. He showed the athletes proper techniques and stances as well as lessons in tenacity.

"(Camp director and former Iowa linebacker) Matt Hughes has always said he would like me to come and do this and that, but I could never come because I was busy or had training camp," Kampman said. "It's been nice to do things like this, spend some time with things you normally didn't get to do when you're getting ready for an NFL season."